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Tipping and cash needed on Disney World trips – PREP096

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By: Author Shannon Albert

Published: June 28, 2015 Updated: September 11, 2023

Tipping and cash needed on Disney World trips – PREP096

You’ve got most everything paid for on your Disney World trip, but who will you need to tip? And what things will you need to pay with cash?

I’ve got info on that today, plus lots of news and a quick tip of the day.

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UPDATE:

So much has changed since we first published this podcast.

Find the most up-to-date information in our When to Tip at Disney World blog post.

When to tip at Disney World

These are notes from this episode. There’s much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

Call in your quick tip of the day

To prepare for the 100th episode, I’d love to have you call in your own quick tip of the day at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.

Things that require tipping or cash

Luggage
Almost anytime somebody handles your luggage, you should tip $1-2/bag for their help. That includes curbside check-in at the airport, Magical Express Cast Members who load your bags on and off the bus, and when bell services helps you at your resort.

If you do not pick up your own bags at the airport and allow Disney to deliver them to your resort, tipping isn’t required because you likely won’t see the people delivering your bags.

Dining
It’s customary to tip 18-20% at all Table Service restaurants (if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, be sure to tip based on the amount you would’ve paid). For parties of 6 or more, an 18% gratuity will automatically be included. Gratuity is also included with the price at Cinderella’s Royal Table, Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue, Spirit of Aloha Luau, and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ.

Tipping can be paid with cash, credit card, or by charging to your MagicBand. That includes people on the Disney Dining Plan who can pay for their food with credits but use another payment method for handling tips.

Other services
You can also expect to tip for salon services, $1/person per day for Mousekeeping (use my cute envelopes if you’d like), valet ($2-5), and boat drivers. Most other Cast Members can’t accept tips, but you can feel free to give them thank-you notes and stop by guest relations to leave a compliment there.

I didn’t mention this in the podcast, but you can choose to tip at places that provide salon-style services such as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Harmony Barber Shop, and Pirate’s League as well if you’d like.

News

  • 2016 packages were released and some changes were made to the offers. Check out this overview for a complete list of the changes. For people traveling in 2015, check out this list of everything that’s included.
  • 2016 Disney Dining Plan prices have changed. See the list of prices here.
  • Many restaurants aren’t shown as being on the list for 2016 Disney Dining Plan, but they should be added by the end of the year.
  • Mears has an app for calling taxis at Disney World (available for iOS and Android).
  • Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach refurbishments have been announced and are on the monthly dashboards.
  • Selfie sticks have been completely banned at both Disney World and Disneyland.
  • Military discounts have been extended through December.
  • Captain EO will return to Epcot on July 19.

Quick tip of the day

Disney now has a GIF app to allow you to include Disney GIFs in your messages.

Have a quick tip of your own? Call it in at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

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Shannon Albert
Latest posts by Shannon Albert (see all)

Candy

Tuesday 23rd of July 2019

Your Mousekeeping tip envelopes are adorable. Somehow, I often find myself rushing out of a hotel room without leaving a tip, only to feel guilty later. I printed your envelopes and stuffed them a week before our trip, and then set one on the vanity each morning as I prepared for the day. I hope that little extra pop of color brought a smile to their faces. .

Dee

Sunday 23rd of June 2019

Our bill didn’t have a gratuity added to it for Cinderella’s table. We left 18%. At be our guest it did have a gratuity added but we still left some extra. We tipped our bus driver, the bell hops, the cleaning crew, and left some extra at Ohana for our server at breakfast. Everybody at Disney works had to make things magical, everybody deserves a tip.

PegP

Sunday 22nd of July 2018

I couldn't find a date for this blog entry. How old is it? Reason I'm asking is because I've read some where it says you must tip 18% at Cinderella's Castle and Mickey's Backyard BBQ. This says gratuity is included. I don't want to tip if it's included, but I don't want to not tip if it's not.

Melissa

Monday 23rd of April 2018

we are going next month and on the dining plan. I really did't want to bring cash with me into the parks. I know you can tip using your magic band account but is it better to tip in cash? Do cast members have to claim their tips if we use our MB accounts?

K

Monday 29th of January 2018

Are you required to tip at the table service restaurants? I will be a party of two on the dining plan.

Shannon Albert

Monday 29th of January 2018

Yes, you should tip as tips aren't included on the dining plan.